With Valentine’s Day less than three weeks away, now’s a great time to book your Sydney car rental and treat your loved one to a special escape. AccorHotels have some fantastic options for lovebirds. Harbour Rocks Hotel, MGallery by Sofitel This Valentine’s Day guests at Harbour Rocks Hotel’s Scarlett Restaurant (pictured) are invited to enjoy a four course degustation dinner, plus a glass of bubbles on arrival and a red rose. Priced from $160.00 per person, or $130 per person for AccorPlus members. The meal must be fully prepaid and is non-refundable, subject to availability and conditions apply. To book, visit www.harbourrocks.com.au Novotel Lake Crackenback Guests are invited to rekindle their romance in the picturesque Snowy Mountains with the High Country Romance Package at Novotel Lake Crackenback. The package includes two nights accommodation, buffet breakfast daily, a two course dinner at Alpine Larder, a relaxing 45 minute massage for each guest, late check-out and complimentary resort activities including tennis courts…

Steeped in history, Queenscliff’s modern, cosmopolitan touch is driving everyone south in Victoria to discover its charms in accommodation, dining, train rides and seaside appeal among dozens of other reasons. From its early beginnings in the 1850s when it became a strategic defence post close to the entrance of Port Phillip which in turn provided shipping access to Geelong and Melbourne, it’s become a hot-ticket item for “great escape” destinations in Australia. Only a 90-minute drive to the Bellarine Peninsula in your Melbourne airport, Queenscliff has dozens of reasons for a weekend – or week-long – escape, but here five standouts. 360Q – a waterfront feast for the senses Great ocean views, superb service, incredible food and live entertainment. There’s 10 words or less that should be enough to suggest you’d be crazy to avoid spectacular 360Q waterfront restaurant (pictured) at Queenscliff Marina. The venue was closed in 2014 but was reborn over 12 months ago under the management of…

Melbourne comes alive for some serious Christmas spirit every year as shopping hotspots dress up for the occasion. The Visit Victoria team shared the news with Melbourne car rental specialists DriveNow on just where to go to find the Spirit of Christmas, along with what’s open and when. From markets to the Myer windows, selfies with Santa and a merry activation in Federation Square, there’s something for locals and visitors alike as Victoria celebrates. Try these: Federation Square (until 25 December) Federation Square will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland offering festive fun for the whole family. The jolly man in red is in residence, found beneath a 16-metre-tall tree and waiting to make his list of naughty and nice children. A light show takes over at 9:00pm every night, with a six-metre bauble glittering in the Square. State Library of Victoria Christmas Projections (until 25 December) The iconic State Library of Victoria will light up across December, with its…

The NT is stunning all year round, yet when the wet season rolls in like clockwork every November, it adds a certain vibrancy to the landscape as floodplains fill and spill into surrounding waterways and the green foliage thickens and deepens in colour. Touring the Top End in your Darwin car rental in the green season also means you’ll be visiting out of peak, so your Territory trip-of-a-lifetime won’t break the budget as hotels and tour operators offer generous discounts. If you’re ready for a cool change this summer, here are Tourism NT’s picks to whet your appetite for travel in the green season. DRAMATIC DARWIN The tropical capital is treated to vivid sunsets, spectacular light shows and refreshing rains, which bring a cool change during the summer months. Darwin’s famous Sailing Club at Fannie Bay or the Darwin Waterfront are the perfect places to watch the show unfold. A visit to modern-day Darwin is also a journey back through…

With Sydney set to throw the world’s most exciting New Year’s Eve party party featuring outstanding fireworks displays, we’ve asked the Destination NSW team to reveal some of the city’s best vantage points and parties for revellers to ring in 2018. As NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall says: “Every year Sydney erupts into a kaleidoscope of colour as the nation’s biggest-ever fireworks display welcomes in the New Year. With many locations across the harbour foreshore to view the fireworks, as well as festivities and parties to experience, celebrating New Year’s Eve in Sydney is another great reason to book a holiday to NSW.” Here are some great options to watch all the action The Rocks Campbell’s Cove is on Hickson Road north of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, offers front row views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Revellers are advised to arrive early as the area usually reaches capacity at around 4pm. Admission…

We come from a land Down Under where women glow and men plunder, and we have an endless supply of incredible music festivals. Diversity is the key so there is a festival somewhere in our great southern land to suit all tastes. Where to begin? Why not start with a campervan rental and book a holiday park to park your wheels before getting in tune with one of these five for the summer of 2017-2018. The Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth (19-28 January 2018) TEN days, 700 performers, 2800 events and more than 50,000 country music lovers. Clearly there are big numbers behind this giant country music fest which this summer showcases the likes of Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Amber Lawrence, Beccy Cole, John Williamson and more. From free shows every night in the park, to buskers, stalls, children’s activities and street performers there is a helluva lot going on. Choose from thousands of free and ticketed shows over the…

THE sun shines all year round in Queensland so that’s reason alone to jump in a Brisbane car rental and head for the sun, sand and sea. But while the notoriously brilliant beach life is always available for visitors, some super events come and ago and take another 12 months before they come around again. So let’s look at 5 ripper events put forward by the Tourism Queensland team in the Sunshine State before we sign off on 2017. No.1… Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival November 1-5 The Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival is a five-day bonanza based in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast and includes a stacked line-up of events for all ages and abilities. The schedule includes a Breakfast Fun Run and a Run Swim Run event. Super Saturday is one of the highlights of the event with the Superkidz and Special Triathlon in the morning and the Subaru Noosa Australian Open Criterium and Asics Noosa Bolt in…

TASMANIA was once the forgotten little state separated from the rest of Australia by Bass Strait and no real desire from most Aussies to mark it down as a summer destination. But it seems now we can’t get enough of the Apple Isle so start thinking about your Hobart car rental now with an eye on scooting way down south for the summer holidays. Let’s not forget what happened earlier this year when Tasmania loaded up with gold across five categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Not only that, Tasmania collected seven silver, two bronze and The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What’s more, Tassie picked up the most awards out of every state. Such is Tasmania’s charm that Roy Morgan Research earlier this year revealed Hobart now outranks Perth and Brisbane as a capital city holiday destination Australians want to visit. Awesome walks When Lonely Planet rated Tassie among the world’s top…

The hype is building as the countdown begins for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year. The good news for travellers looking for a bit of sun and sand on our most famous beach strip is all the action taking place with hotels upgrading or being built – none more impressive than mighty The Star Gold Coast, formerly known as Jupiters. Best of all, once collecting your Gold Coast car rental there’s only a quick 15 minute drive north and The Star Gold Coast will have you checked in within a flash. What’s all the fuss about? Plenty. The Star Gold Coast is in the midst of an $850 million remake. Since 2014 this star of the show in beautiful Broadbeach has already undergone some serious make over work, including the snazzy refurb of more than 590 rooms refreshed Lobby area and much more. Try these five great reasons to escape to The Star Gold Coast – no…